System and Method for Providing an Intelligent Configuration Rationalization Solution

ABSTRACT

A system and method are disclosed for rationalizing configurations associated with one or more products. The system includes a database associated with one or more customers. The system further includes an order analysis system coupled with the database. The order analysis system is capable of rationalizing the differences between configurations of various combinations of options that are stored in the database.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/055,100, filed Mar. 25, 2008, entitled “System and Method forProviding an Intelligent Configuration Rationalization Solution” whichclaims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/909,519, filed Apr. 2, 2007, and entitled “System and Method forProviding an Intelligent Configuration Rationalization Solution.” U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/055,100 and U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/909,519 are assigned to the assignee of the present application.The subject matter disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/055,100 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/909,519 is herebyincorporated by reference into the present disclosure as if fully setforth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to configuration rationalization, andmore particularly to a system and method for providing an intelligentconfiguration rationalization solution.

BACKGROUND

In today's demand driven business world, customers are asking for moreproduct options and choices, which have resulted in the proliferation ofoptions available for each configuration. This problem is particularlyacute for manufacturers producing products with high configurationcontent including automotive, industrial products, telecommunicationsequipment, and industrial machinery. For example, because of theproliferation of options, manufacturers find it very difficult todetermine which combination of options should be packaged together toaddress particular market needs, minimize reconfigurations and inventorycosts, and lost revenue due to unfulfilled demand. Today, manufacturerslack a proactive and forward looking process that allows them toevaluate trends of option consumption by customers and determine whichcombination of options should be packaged together. This inability toproactively determine which combination of options should be packagedtogether is undesirable.

SUMMARY

A system of rationalizing configurations associated with one or moreproducts is disclosed. The system includes a database associated withone or more customers. The system further includes an order analysissystem coupled with the database. The order analysis system is capableof rationalizing the differences between configurations of variouscombinations of options that are stored in the database.

A method of rationalizing configurations associated with one or moreproducts is also disclosed. The method provides for accessing a userinterface comprising a visual representation of a plurality of filtercriteria elements and one or more configuration listings elements. Themethod further provides for selecting one or more filter criteriaelements for searching a database for configurations of variouscombinations of options and searching the database for configurations ofvarious combinations of options based on the selected filter criteriaelements. The method still further provides for displaying the searchresults in the one or more configuration listings elements and storingthe configurations of various combinations of options in the database.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium embodied with software forrationalizing part configurations of one or more products is alsodisclosed. The software is configured to access a user interfacecomprising a visual representation of a plurality of filter criteriaelements and one or more configuration listings elements. The softwareis further configured to select one or more filter criteria elements forsearching a database for configurations of various combinations ofoptions and search the database for configurations of variouscombinations of options based on the selected filter criteria elements.The software is still further configured to display the search resultsin the one or more configuration listings elements and store theconfigurations of various combinations of options in the database.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well asa preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof,will best be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system according to a preferredembodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a user interface for rationalizing configurationsassociated with one or more products; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method for rationalizing configurationsassociated with one or more products.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the following detailed description of thepreferred and alternate embodiments. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that the present invention provides many inventive conceptsand novel features, that are merely illustrative, and are not to beconstrued as restrictive. Accordingly, the specific embodimentsdiscussed herein are given by way of example and do not limit the scopeof the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 100 according to a preferredembodiment. System 100 comprises one or more customers 110, an orderanalysis system 120, a network 130, and communication links 132 and 134.Although one or more customers 110, a single order analysis system 120,and a single network 130, are shown and described; embodimentscontemplate any number of customers 110, any number of order analysissystems 120, and/or any number of networks 130, according to particularneeds. In addition, or as an alternative, order analysis system 120 maybe integral to or separate from the hardware and/or software of anyoneof the one or more customers 110.

In one embodiment, system 100 may provide an intelligent mechanism fordetermining optimum configurations of various combinations of options,which may be synchronized with, for example, market demand. In addition,or as an alternative, system 100 may provide specific information aboutthe usage of these various combinations of options, such as, forexample, information about the frequency of the consumption of thesecombinations of options and/or information about the percentage ofmarket demand for these combinations of options. As described below,system 100 may be used to access, store, and display informationassociated with particular data relating to a rationalization process ofconfigurations based on various combinations of options.

Order analysis system 120 comprises one or more computers 121, a server122, a database 124, and an engineering system 128. As described belowin more detail, order analysis system 120 may generate a matrix ofoptions, from data in database 124 (i.e., back-log order data,historical data, and other like data). Server 122 comprisesconfiguration process 123 for comparing existing configuration optionpackages to provide analysis capabilities using various filter criteriaand intelligent search mechanisms to identify optimum configurations.

Database 124 comprises one or more databases or other data storagearrangements at one or more locations, local to, or remote from, orderanalysis system 120. Database 124 may include, for example, back-logorder data 125, historical data 126, and configuration data 127.Database 124 stores data associated with one or more customers 110 thatmay be used by server 122, and in particular, by configuration process123. Data associated with database 124 may be, for example, data thatdescribes the back-log of orders for one or more customers 110, datathat describes the order history for one or more customers 110, and/ordata that describes the configurations of various combinations ofoptions for one or more customers 110. Engineering system 128 providesfor the design and/or implementation of one or more of these variousoptions or various combinations of options and includes a database 129or databank, for storing data associated with these various combinationsof options.

In an embodiment, system 100 may operate on one or more computers 121that are integral to or separate from the hardware and/or software thatsupport one or more customers 110, order analysis system 120, and/ornetwork 130. Each of these one or more computers 121 may include anysuitable input device, such as a keypad, mouse, touch screen,microphone, or other device to input information. In addition, each ofthese one or more computers 121 may include any suitable output devicewhich may convey information associated with the operation of system100, including digital or analog data, visual information, or audioinformation.

In addition, or as an alternative, each of these one or more computers121 may include fixed or removable storage media, such as magneticcomputer disks, CD-ROM, wireless ports and connections, or othersuitable media to receive output from and provide input to system 100.Furthermore, each of these one or more computers 121 may include one ormore processors and associated memory to execute instructions andmanipulate information according to the operation of system 100.

In addition, although one or more computers 121 is shown as beingassociated with order analysis system 120, embodiments contemplate oneor more customers 120 and order analysis system 120 each operating onone or more separate computers 121 or each operating on one or moreshared computers 121, according to particular needs. Each of these oneor more computers 121, may be, for example, a work station, personalcomputer (PC), network computer, notebook computer, personal digitalassistant (PDA), cell phone, telephone, wireless data port, or any othersuitable computing device.

In one embodiment, one or more users may be associated with one or morecustomers 110 and/or order analysis system 120. These one or more usersmay include, for example, a “product analyst” handling productrationalizing and/or one or more related tasks within system 100. Inaddition, or as an alternative, these one or more users may include, forexample, one or more computers 121 programmed to autonomously handleproduct rationalizing and/or one or more related tasks within system100. As an example only and not by way of limitation, one or morecomputers 121 may generate one or more baseline configurationrecommendations automatically based on order trends and preferences madeby the one or more users, thereby enabling a continual productrationalizing process.

In another embodiment, although one or more customers 110 and orderanalysis system 120 are shown and described as being separate from eachother, embodiments contemplate combining one or more customers 110 andorder analysis system 120, according to particular needs. For example,one or more customers 110 and/or order analysis system 120 may beentities within a single enterprise.

In one embodiment, one or more customers 110 are coupled to network 130using communications link 132, which may be any wireline, wireless, orother link suitable to support data communications between one or morecustomers 110 and network 130 during operation of system 100. Orderanalysis system 120 is coupled to network 130 using communications link134, which may be any wireline, wireless, or other link suitable tosupport data communications between order analysis system 120 andnetwork 130 during operation of system 100. Although communication links132 and 134 are shown as generally coupling one or more customers 110and order analysis system 120 to network 130, one or more customers 110and order analysis system 120 may communicate directly with each other,according to particular needs.

In another embodiment, network 130 includes the Internet and anyappropriate local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks(MANS), or wide area networks (WANs) coupling one or more customers 110and order analysis system 120. For example, data may be maintained byorder analysis system 120 at one or more locations external to orderanalysis system 120 and one or more customers 110 and made available toone or more associated users of one or more customers 110 using network130 or in any other appropriate manner. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that the complete structure and operation of communicationnetwork 130 and other components within system 100 are not depicted ordescribed. Embodiments may be employed in conjunction with knowncommunications networks and other components.

FIG. 2 illustrates a user interface 200 for rationalizing configurationsassociated with one or more products. User interface 200 comprises oneor more graphical user interface elements including one or more filtercriteria 210 and one or more configuration listings 220. Although userinterface 200 is shown and described as having one or more graphicaluser interface elements including a visual representation of a pluralityof filter criteria 210 and a plurality of configuration listings 220,embodiments contemplate any suitable number of graphical user interfaceelements, according to particular needs. As will be explained below ingreater detail, user interface 200 provides a user interface to allowone or more users the ability to rationalize differences betweenconfiguration packages (i.e., various combinations of options) based onvarious filter criteria 210 and update and/or eliminate existingconfiguration packages, according to particular needs.

In one embodiment, filter criteria 210 may provide the ability to searchdatabase 124 for configurations of various combinations of options basedon various filter criteria. As an example only and not by way oflimitation, filter criteria 210 may comprise region 211, productcategory 212, sales industry 213, order code 214, order type 215, orderstatus 216, and date range 217. In addition, or as an alternative,filter criteria 210 may further comprise one or more drop down filters,providing one or more users with the ability to focus on specificcriteria associated with filter criteria 210. Although, example filtercriteria 210 is shown and described, embodiments contemplates anysuitable filter criteria and/or any combination of filter criteria,according to particular needs.

Region 211 may provide for filtering of different region levels througha hierarchical relationship. In one embodiment, one or more usersassociated with one or more customers 110 may selectively exposeportions of a region hierarchy, that is, a main region, a region, adistrict, and/or a particular dealer, during the process of selectingregion 211. For example, one or more users associated with one or morecustomers 110 may select a main region, such as, for example, the UnitedStates, Europe, Latin America, or the like, then select a region withinthe main region, then select a district within the region, and thenselect a dealer within the district. The one or more users associatedwith one or more customers 110 may select at the highest main regionlevel or select down to the lowest dealer within the main region.Although example regions 211 are shown and described, embodimentscontemplate any suitable region and/or any combination of regions,according to particular needs.

Product category 212 may provide for filtering of different productcategories through a hierarchical relationship. As an example only andnot by way of limitation, a product group may include trucks, whereinthe forecast model may be various models of the truck, such as, forexample, a light duty truck, a heavy duty truck, and other like trucks.In addition, the sales model may include the specific light duty truckor specific heavy duty truck. The source factory may include theparticular factory at which the particular sales model is built.Although example product categories 212 are shown and described,embodiments contemplate any suitable product category and/or anycombination of product categories, according to particular needs.

Sales industry 213 may provide for filtering of different salesindustries through a hierarchical relationship. For example, thespecific light duty truck associated with product category 212 may beassociated with various industries, such as, for example, agriculture,equipment services, forestry, general construction, road maintenance,and may be associated with a particular product work code (PWC).Although example sales industries 213 are shown and described,embodiments contemplate any suitable sales industry and/or anycombination of sales industries, according to particular needs.

Order code 214 may provide for filtering of different order codes, suchas, for example, customer orders, inventory orders, and/or replenishmentorders. In addition, order codes 214 may provide visibility into thestate of the order, such as, for example, is the order sold to acustomer, is the order in inventory, is it a replenishment order, andthe like. Although example order codes 214 are shown and described,embodiments contemplate any suitable order code and/or any combinationof order codes, according to particular needs.

Order type 215 may provide for filtering of different order types, suchas, for example, a distribution center order type and/or a dealer ordertype. In addition, the order type may provide visibility into whether,for example, the order came from an end dealer or from a distributioncenter. If the order came from the former, the order may not need to berestocked, whereas if the order came from the latter the order may needto be restocked and appropriate action may be taken by order analysissystem 120. Although example order types 215 are shown and described,embodiments contemplate any suitable order type and/or any combinationof order types, according to particular needs.

Order status 216 may provide for filtering of different order status,such as, for example, sold, scheduled not started, and/or inventory. Inaddition, order status 216 may provide visibility into the order status,that is, is the order sold, is the order scheduled (but maybe notstarted), is the order in inventory, and other like order status.Although example order status 216 are shown and described, embodimentscontemplate any suitable order status and/or any combination of orderstatus, according to particular needs.

Date range 217 may provide for filtering based on a particular daterange. For example, the specific date range may be from a particulardate to the present date, to a particular date, or all dates. Althoughexample date range 217 is shown and described, embodiments contemplateany suitable date range and/or any combination of date ranges, accordingto particular needs.

In one embodiment, configuration listings 220 may provide the searchresults of database 124 for configurations based on filter criteria 210.As an example only and not by way of limitation, configuration listings220 may comprise type 221, filter 222, part 223, search 224, andconfigurations 225. In addition, or as an alternative, configurationlistings 220 may comprise a visual representation of the search resultsof filter criteria 210 in any type of tabular view. In addition, eachtabular view may comprise a table including one or more rows and one ormore columns. Although example configuration listings 220 are shown anddescribed, embodiments contemplate any suitable configuration listingand/or any combination of configuration listings, according toparticular needs.

Type 221 may identify different types of parts, for example, the partmay be a top level part that is required, the part may be installed atthe factory, or the part may be a dealer add-on. Filter 222 may providea user interface workflow filter for reducing the number of itemsdisplayed in configuration listing 220. For example, if filter 222 isactive, then one or more users associated with one or more customers 110may selectively expose the appropriate categories. Likewise, if filter222 is de-active, then one or more users associated with one or morecustomers 110 may selectively hide the appropriate categories. That is,by selectively hiding the appropriate categories, the underlying dataremains unchanged, but the display of the underlying data is reducedbased on the selection to hide the appropriate categories.

Part 223 may provide a category of parts through a hierarchicalrelationship, such as, for example, top level configuration, controls,decals, differentials, hood group, wiring group, and other likecategories, including categorizing the individual part below thecategory of the part. In addition, each category of parts may be asingle choice category, that is the category may only include one item,or a multiple choice category, that is, the category may include morethan one item. As an example only and not by way of limitation, thewiring group category of parts may be a multiple choice category thatmay include sub-categories, such as controls, electrical, and operatorenvironment. Furthermore, each of the sub-categories of parts may alsocontain multiple items within the sub-category. As an example, thesub-category electrical may include more than one item, such as astandard battery and a heavy duty battery.

Search 224 may provide one or more users associated with one or morecustomers 110 the ability to change the status of configurations 225based on the value of search 224. As an example only and not by way oflimitation, search 224 may comprise the value of retain, ignore, andstandardize. That is, if the value of search 224 is retain, than thepart from part 223 may be retained as a differentiating factor in theconfigurations. On the other hand, if the value of search 224 is ignore,than the option with the part from part 223 is ignored or removed, andthe option no longer differentiates the configurations. Furthermore, ifthe value of search 224 is standardize, than the part from part 223 isstandardized across all configurations. In addition, if the part frompart 223 is associated with a multiple choice category, than each partwithin part 223 may be standardized based on the particular partidentification number.

Configurations 225 may provide for a particular configuration ofoptions, that is, a listing of the various part identification numbersthat comprise the particular configuration associated with each categoryof parts. In addition, configurations 225 (i.e., columns 225 a-225 n)may also provide information regarding the distribution, age, and pricedetails associated with each particular configuration. As an exampleonly and not by way of limitation, configuration 225 a may provide for adistribution of 10.8% (which may include a total of 54 orders out of thetotal number of orders) of the configurations in database 124 includethis particular configuration of options (i.e., parts). As anotherexample, configuration 225 a may provide an average age of 158 days,that is, this particular configuration remained in inventory for 158days. As still another example, configuration 225 a may provide anaverage selling price of $21,984 for this particular configuration.

In addition, or as an alternative, configurations 225 may also provideinformation regarding the usage percentage of each option (i.e., parts)for this particular configuration. As an example only and not by way oflimitation, configuration 225 a may provide that part identificationnumber 851 was used on 100% of the configurations in database 124.Although configurations 225 are shown and described as being displayedwith various configurations and information associated with the variousconfigurations, embodiments contemplate displaying any configuration,combination of configurations, and/or any information, according toparticular needs.

To further explain the operation of user interface 200, an example isnow given. In the following example, a user associated with one or morecustomers 110 may conduct a configuration rationalization process, thatis, the user may rationalize the differences between variousconfiguration packages (i.e., various combinations of options) based onselected filter criteria and update and/or eliminate existingconfiguration packages, according to particular needs. In conducting theconfiguration rationalization process, the user may select filtercriteria 210 in order to perform the filtering of database 124 (i.e.,data that describes the back-log of orders, data that describes theorder history for one or more customers 110, and data that describes theconfigurations of various combinations of options) according todifferent region levels, different product categories, different salesindustries, different order codes, different order types, differentorder status, and different date ranges.

Continuing with this example, the user may select various filtercriteria 210 and then search database 124 via configuration process 123,to display the search results, based on the user selected filtercriteria 210. In a similar manner, once the search results of database124 are displayed, the user may select and/or deselect additional filtercriteria 210 to modify and/or change the number of items displayed inconfiguration listings 220.

In addition, or as an alternative, once the search results of database124 are displayed in configuration listings 220, the user may thenrationalize the differences between various configurations (i.e.,various combinations of options) displayed in configuration listings220. As an example only and not by way of limitation, the user maymodify and/or change the user interface workflow filter and the statusof configurations 225 based on retaining, ignoring, or standardizingvarious combination of options (i.e., parts). In addition, userinterface 200 may provide a histogram (i.e., search history) of thedistributions of the various configurations displayed in configurationlistings 220. For example, the histogram may provide the number ofconfigurations and the distribution of the configurations used based ona percentage.

Modifications, additions or omissions may be made to user interface 200without departing from the scope of the invention. As an example and notby way of limitation, user interface 200 may have more, fewer, or othergraphical elements, filter criteria or configuration listings. Moreover,the operation of user interface 200 may be performed by more, fewer, orother graphical elements, arranged in any suitable manner, according toparticular needs.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method 300 for rationalizingconfigurations associated with one or more products. As discussed above,one or more users associated with one or more customers 110 may includea product analyst for rationalizing configurations associated with oneor more products. Although a product analyst is described in thisexemplary method, embodiments contemplate any suitable user, anysuitable combination of users, and/or any suitable one or more computers121 associated with one or more customers 110 for rationalizingconfigurations associated with one or more products.

The method begins at step 302, where a product analyst accesses userinterface 200 via order analysis system 120. As discussed above, orderanalysis system 120 may generate a matrix of options from database 124(i.e., a back-log order data set, a historical data set, and the like)and includes server 122 and configuration process 123 for comparingexisting configuration option packages to provide analysis capabilitiesto a product analyst using various filter criteria and intelligentsearch mechanisms to identify optimum configurations. At step 304, theproduct analyst selects the appropriate filter criteria 210, whichprovides the ability to search database 124 for configurations ofvarious combinations of options based on the selected filter criteria210. As discussed above, data associated with database 124 may be, forexample, data that describes the back-log of orders, data that describesthe order history for one or more customers 110, and/or data thatdescribes the configurations of various combinations of options. Oncethe product analyst selects the appropriate filter criteria 210,configuration process 123 searches database 124, at step 306 and thesearch results of database 124 are displayed in configuration listings220, at step 308.

At step 310, a determination is made as to whether the product analystmay change and/or modify any of the originally selected filter criteria210. If there are changes and/or modification to be made to filtercriteria 210, configuration process 123 returns to step 304, so that theproduct analyst may change and/or modify any of the originally selectedfilter criteria 210. In this manner, the product analyst is able toreduce the number of configurations based on changes and/or modificationto the originally selected filter criteria 210. If there are no changesand/or modification to be made to filter criteria 210, the methodproceeds to step 312.

Once the search results of database 124 are displayed in configurationlistings 220, the product analyst may then rationalize the differencesbetween the various configurations (i.e., various combinations ofoptions) displayed in configuration listings 220. At step 312, theproduct analyst may selectively expose or hide one or more appropriatecategories displayed in configuration listings 220. As discussed above,if filter 222 is active, then the product analyst may selectively exposethe appropriate categories displayed in configuration listings 220.Likewise, if filter 222 is de-active, then the product analyst mayselectively hide the appropriate categories, such that the categoriesare not displayed in configuration listings 220. That is, by selectivelyhiding the appropriate categories, the underlying data remainsunchanged, but the display of the underlying data is reduced based onthe selection of the product analyst to hide the appropriate categories.

At step 314, the product analyst may selectively change the status ofconfigurations 225 based on the value of search 224. As discussed above,search 224 may comprise the value of retain, ignore, and standardize.That is, if the product analyst selects retain to be the value in search224, than the part from part 223 may be retained as a differentiatingfactor in the configurations. On the other hand, if the product analystselects ignore to be the value in search 224 is ignore, than the optionwith the part from part 223 is ignored or removed, and the option nolonger differentiates the configurations. Furthermore, if the productanalyst selects standardize to be the value in search 224, than the partfrom part 223 is standardized across all configurations. In addition, asdiscussed above, if the part from part 223 is associated with a multiplechoice category, than each part within part 223 may be standardizedbased on the particular part identification number.

At step 316, a determination is made as to whether the product analystmay change and/or modify any of configuration listings 220, in order tofurther rationalize the differences between the various configurations(i.e., various combinations of options) displayed in configurationlistings 220. If there are additional changes and/or modification to bemade to configuration listings 220, configuration process 123 returns tostep 312, so that the product analyst may change and/or modify any ofthe configuration listings 220. In this manner, the product analyst isable to reduce the number of configurations based on changes and/ormodification to configuration listings 220. If there are no changesand/or modification to be made to configuration listings 220, the methodproceeds to step 318.

At step 318, the product analyst may store the rationalizedconfiguration into configuration data 127 of database 124. In addition,the product analyst may repeat method 300 for rationalizingconfigurations based on market demands, reduction of inventory costs byreducing the number of different options, and/or removing obsolete orrarely used parts.

Reference in the foregoing specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, or “another embodiment” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearancesof the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specificationare not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

While the exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it willbe understood that various changes and modifications to the foregoingembodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system of rationalizing part configurations ofone or more products, comprising: a database comprising configurationdata representing two or more options to configure the one or moreproducts using a plurality of parts; and an order analysis computersystem coupled with the database and comprising one or more processorsand memory that rationalizes differences between the two or more optionsof the configuration data of the one or more products, the orderanalysis computer system comprising one or more configuration listingselements comprising: a parts element that provides a category of parts;and in connection with the parts element, a search element comprising avalue configured to be selected from one of retain, ignore, andstandardize, wherein the order analysis computer system is configuredto: when the value is selected to be retain, retain a part associatedwith the search element for differentiating configurations in theconfiguration listings element; when the value is selected to be ignore,cease to use a part associated with the search element fordifferentiating configurations in the configuration listings element;when the value is selected to be standardize, standardize a partassociated with the search element across configurations in theconfiguration listings element; and store data associated with the twoor more options.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the database furthercomprises data that describes the back-log of orders of one or morecustomers.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the database furthercomprises data that describes the order history of one or morecustomers.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the database furthercomprises data that describes the two or more options offered by one ormore customers.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a userinterface that rationalizes the differences between the two or moreoptions of the configuration data, stored in the database.
 6. The systemof claim 5, wherein the user interface comprises: a plurality of filtercriteria elements, wherein one or more of the plurality of filtercriteria elements are selected for searching the database for the two ormore options of the configuration data; and one or more configurationlistings elements, wherein the one or more configuration listingselements are search results based on the filter criteria.
 7. The systemof claim 6, wherein the filter criteria elements comprises elementsselected from the group consisting of: a region criteria; a productcategory criteria; a sales industry criteria; an order code criteria; anorder type criteria; an order status criteria; and a date rangecriteria.
 8. A method of rationalizing part configurations of one ormore products, comprising: accessing, by a computer, a plurality offilter criteria elements and one or more configuration listingselements; selecting, by the computer, one or more of the plurality offilter criteria elements for searching a database for two or moreoptions to configure the one or more products using a plurality ofparts; searching, by the computer, the database for the two or moreoptions based on the selected filter criteria elements; displaying, bythe computer, the search results in the one or more configurationlistings elements, wherein the one or more configuration listingselements comprise: a parts element for providing a category of parts;and in connection with the parts element, a search element comprising avalue configured to be selected from one of retain and standardize, whenthe value is selected to be retain, a part associated with the searchelement is retained for differentiating configurations displayed in theconfiguration listings element; when the value is selected to bestandardize, a part associated with the search element is standardizedacross configurations displayed in the configuration listings element;and storing, by the computer, the search results of the two or moreoptions in the database.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:modifying the selected plurality of filter criteria elements forreducing the two or more options displayed in the one or moreconfiguration listings elements.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein theplurality of filter criteria elements comprises elements selected fromthe group consisting of: a region criteria; a product category criteria;a sales industry criteria; an order code criteria; an order typecriteria; an order status criteria; and a date range criteria.
 11. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the configuration listings elements comprisea type element for identifying different types of parts.
 12. The methodof claim 8, wherein the configuration listings elements comprise afilter element for providing a user interface workflow filter forreducing the number of items displayed in configuration listingselements.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the configuration listingselements comprise a configurations element for providing a listing ofthe parts that comprise the particular configuration associated with theparts element.
 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising a value tobe selected including ignore.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readablemedium embodied with software for rationalizing part configurations ofone or more products, the software when executed is configured to:access a user interface comprising a plurality of filter criteriaelements and one or more configuration listings elements; select one ormore of the plurality of filter criteria elements for searching adatabase for two or more options to configure the one or more productsusing a plurality of parts; search the database for the two or moreoptions based on the selected filter criteria elements; display thesearch results in the one or more configuration listings elements,wherein the one or more configuration listings elements comprise: aparts element for providing a category of parts; and in connection withthe parts element, a search element comprising a value that isconfigured to be selected from the group comprising: retain andstandardize, when the value is selected to be retain, a part associatedwith the search element is retained for differentiating configurationsdisplayed in the configuration listings element; when the value isselected to be standardize, a part associated with the search element isstandardized across configurations displayed in the configurationlistings element; and store the search results of the two or moreoptions in the database.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumof claim 15, wherein the software is further configured to: modify theselected plurality of filter criteria elements for reducing the two ormore options displayed in the one or more configuration listingselements.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16,wherein the plurality of filter criteria elements comprises elementsselected from the group consisting of: a region criteria; a productcategory criteria; a sales industry criteria; an order code criteria; anorder type criteria; an order status criteria; and a date rangecriteria.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15,wherein the configuration listings elements comprise a type element foridentifying different types of parts.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the configuration listingselements comprise a filter element for providing a user interfaceworkflow filter for reducing the number of items displayed inconfiguration listings elements.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the configuration listingselements comprise a configurations element for providing a listing ofthe parts that comprise the particular configuration associated with theparts element.